Control means for submarine interceptors



Aug 19, 1954 w. HARRISON, JR 2,685,858

CONTROL MEANS FOR SUBMARINE INTERCEPTORS Filed June 1, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

W/ZZ/AM 0. HA/Q/Q/JOA J/Y ATTD RN EYS g 1954 w. o. HARRISON, JR 2,685,358

CONTROL MEANS FOR SUBMARINE INTERCEPTQRS 1954 w. o. HARRISON, JR

CONTROL MEANS FOR SUBMARINE INTERCEPTORS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed June 1, 1949 INVENTOR.

Patented Aug. 10, 1954 CONTROL MEANS FOR SUBMARINE INTERCEPTORS William 0. Harrison, Jr., Winchester, Ind.

Application June 1, 1949, Serial No. 96,565

2 Claims.

My present invention relates to the general class of submarine vessels of the torpedo discharging type, and more specifically to improvements in control means for submarine interceptors designed and constructed for carriage on and launching or lowering from a surface carrier, and when submerged especially adapted for intercepting and destroying enemy submarines as well as surface craft. The submarine interceptor, or torpedo boat carrying a two-man crew, is equipped with a cellular, streamlined hull which reduces drag to a minimum, and electrical propulsion mechanism to insure high speed, together with manually controlled systems of hydroplanes that facilitate submerging and ascending operations, together with steering mechanism for attaining maximum maneuverability of the craft, on the surface, as well as when submerged.

The improvements consist in novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will hereinafter be described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated a complete example of a physical embodiment of my invention in which the parts are combined and arranged in accord with one mode I have devised for the practical application of the principles of my invention. It will however be understood that changes and alterations are contemplated and may be made in these exemplifying drawings and mechanical structures, within the scope of my claims, without departing from the principles of the invention.

Figure l is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of an interceptor or torpedo discharging vessel in which my invention is embodied; and Figure 2 is a horizontal longitudinal sectional view at line 2-2 of Fig 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional View through the nose of observation compartment of the vessel.

Figure 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view at line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view at line 5--5 of Fig. 1; and Figure 6 is a similar view at line 5--fi of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, showing the manually controlled forward and rearward hydroplanes and the operating mechanism therefor; and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pedal operated steering mechanism.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in the drawings an all-welded structure of ma nesium, steel, or other suitable material includes a cellular streamlined hull capable of withstanding great hydraulic pressure, and made up of an interior hull l and an exterior hull 2 spaced by welded bulkheads 3, which form separate water-tight cells. The interior of the vessel is longitudinally divided by two transversely arranged bulkheads i and 5 that provide a forward operators compartment, a main apartment amidship, and a rear engine compartment, the communicating openings between the compartments being provided with watertight doors or hatches 6.

The forward operators compartment terminates in a front bulkhead 1 having a circular opening that is surrounded by a welded sealing ring 8, and an observation compartment is provided in front of the operators compartment that is closed by a hemispherical nose 9, preferably of hardened plastic and transparent material, and fastened by screws as [0, or in other suitable manner to the bulkhead. The rear portion of the observation compartment is completed by a double wall housing II, in the shape of a truncated cone that terminates in an open frame 12, and a hermetically sealed plastic window l3.

For access to the observation compartment from the operators compartment, an emergency hatch I4 is hinged at 15 and adapted to be closed by mechanism including a hydraulic motor l6 and its actuating rod ll, to prevent flooding of the operators compartment in the event the nose is broken or otherwise damaged.

By means of an electric search light l8 mounted back of the transparent nose, a wide area in front of the vessel is illuminated to afford an unobstructed vision of a target, for directing salvaging operations, and other under-water operations such as discerning objects on the bottom of shallow waters. The symmetrical shape of the nose of the observation compartment conforms to the streamline contour of the cellular hull, to equalize distribution of hydraulic pressure at great depths, and to eliminate drag that would otherwise impede the speed of the submarine.

A seat is is provided for the operator in his compartment, and he may readily make observations through the window l3 and the transparent nose, and an instrument panel 20 is mounted in the operators compartment for ready access of the occupant of the seat.

A floor or deck 2! is provided for the operators compartment, and the floor is equipped with op- 3 posite'ly sliding and laterally arranged sectional doors 22, that may be opened outwardly to gain access to torpedoes T or other ammunition, stored in the chamber beneath the floor, for discharge through a torpedo tube 23 which opens through the bow portion of the vessel.

Other accessories, as a periscope 24, a snorkel tube 25, and the necessary main hatch 26 through the upper deck portion of the hull, are provided, together with :radio equipment, 21',-and multiple'oxygen tanks 28 for emergency use, are provided within ready access of the crew.

In the large amidship compartment a catwalk 29 is provided for convenience iofitheierzewa and below the catwalk are stored the ballast tahks o 30; and multiple electrical batteries .3 Laraspaced at opposite sides of the compartment to aid in stabilizing the vessel. The usdalimultiplemompressed air tanks 32 are supported by, clips. on the opposite side walls-.of the hull for use in blowing the ballast tanks 30, and the trim tanks "33*that are loca-ted within both :the operators compartment and i theaftcompartmentofthe vessel.

'I he propulsion mechanism-which--is located-in the-rearmost *or-' 'aft" compartmentincludes an eleetric motor having its' shaft' =35 connected with transmission gearing-- in the gean -housing '36; and duplicate"counter-rotating propellers 3'! and QS- areutiliZedfor driving the vessel.

---Forsteering =ai 1d*-maneuvering-= the boat on a -vertica1 aixis; a rud'cl'ei 39,-= which "is pedalcontrolled-fromthe seat in the openators compartmenty longitudinally exten'di-ng-- steering gear is employed and actuated by the right and l'eft or 'pdrtwand-="starboard pedals lfl, 4 l respectively. The gear includes sprocket and 'chain drives '42 and43 that=operate through a tubular-drive shaft '44 etc partially-irotate a torque shaftor crank 'slfaft iw, preferably or tubularformation and j-Ournal'ed in .sui'table-beari-ngs halving;- fixed supports. Ehis crank shaft-or rock 'shaft 4 is conmected by a rocklarm 46 and are'ciprecablerod- M :to a -=complementary rockem armlfi ona rock shafttoritorque mbe iil -jour-naled suitable-bearings, andby means of a depending rocker arni SO on -shaft a 9 and a=connecting fi'i that is piv'otlly connccted toxin-arm or horfi l'az 'of the rudder 3 9=, "the= riu'ider may :be I turned: on: its vertical axis :onip-in 53.

'i- F-or controlling movem'ent efs the :boat'* about its:longitudinalwxis; a manually operated pair -:of al'aterally -arranged and outwardly proj eating :forward hydroplanesiwitlnbailancingsurfacesyare mounted and disposed 'diretlwabove the center ofeigravitysofxtheiboat;.to up e'rform: the functions mfecombirratiomhwings: and ai-lerons :for 1 use: in :banking.) the progressnof the -boat under water, .miid forsmaneuvering in a shortradius. -"l h'e-lo'alzlastitanksuareeused :to 'change or determine the ce'nter of'-=gravity. By filling or emptying the ballast -tanks the center of gravity is raised-or "lowered. s'mhuswwhencs ubmerged the centerci ivgravitytwilrzbeehigheni'thanwhen the boat is on athe: surface. zfiorwardi hydroplanes are-used 'sjth'ereforeutoirpenmitarmovementabout the:longiritudimliasxis ofithevboat in" the: same manner: as

the ailerons of an airplane.

L7 Eur Lthisuapurposet ail pair ofi=ioutboar(t' hydro- -planesi 54 andss5 5i are each equipped withan in- -wardlwxtendingztransverselytnrranged axlewas 2156c eacluof whichsis partially-rotated or "rocked tbyflsuitable:igearingrmounted'rim ageafi box' 5'l mounted onctop of a supporting' bra oket 58- that ciszfixectiona' suitable-support.

4 The gearing of the axle 56 of the right hand or port hydroplane 54 is directly activated by means of a sprocket and endless chain drive 59 through a longitudinally extending rock shaft 0 60; and the gearing for the axle of the left hand or starboard hydroplane 55 is directlly activated by a complementary sprocket and endless chain drive 6| mounted on a bracket 58, and a longitudinally extending rock shaft 62 journaled in .s'uitable bearings.

"The longit'ndifi'ally extending rock shafts 60 mand 62 enter into and are supported by bearings within a gear housing 63 located in the operators zs -nompantmentmnd under a portion of the observ a'tion compartment, and a control wheel 64, ....manipulated..by-lthe occupant of the seat I9 is mounted on a longitudinally extending and cen- ..tral'ly:.located; .:contro1 shaft 65 that is journaled to turn. on its axis. Power and motion are simultaneoiisly' transmitted from shaft 65 to the two parallel shafts 60, 62, 'through a sprocket and endless chain -driv fifi' toa'double sprocket wheel 6l'-'on' a shaft iia, andan' endless-chain 69 drives "sprockets l D af'id -1 l on' the respective shafts- 50 and tz.

-"M'aneuvering*-of the boaoabout I its 1ateral-.: or transverse horizontakaxis is also-attained by a -pair"=-"of outboard" rear hydroplanes I 2 1 a-nd I 3, undercontol pf the-wheel 6 in thewhands of the operator, and for t'hispurposea coaXiaP-and equipped with a nrigidly -mouht'edblock-or -.1ug l1 5 thatis 'fast'ened to a link '-'of= an: angularly -=d-ispo'sed endless chain and sprocket drive 16' which "bends-"over guide sprockets-"*1 I and transmits power and rotary-motion to a rock shaft or'torque shaft 78 that extends transverselybfthe ship and is journaledin bearings 1 of the housing 63.

Upom' shaft -'l8-- are '-mou-irted= two s-paced rocker --a-rms' -'-"I 9 and- 805 to whicli the port rod" 8b and the starboard rod tlz are respectivelypivoted;and

the rear ends of these rods are -pivotally con- "nected-torockarms and u respe'ctively which are mounted on ai -transverse shaft '85.

" I- he twohydrdplanes fl anw T3-are united-by a --transversely e'x-ten'ding 'torque sl'iaft BS th'atiS "i nou-n-ted 'floi axial-adjustment in =s1 1itable=bear- *ings; and-each hydnoplane *iis equipped w'ithan arrri ii I th-at is li'nked by rods fls -andll 9: to the ro'ck arm83 and m of the shaft fi.

One importaht feature of the boat embodying ithe invention- 1s that 'thei desigur almost approaches a-prfct streamline b'ody*Whichreduces -drag te'a minimmn. The shapeof the body perir nits veryhigh speed to be obtained and the-boat -i's=hi'ghlyr maneuveraibledue to i-tstype ofrco'n'trol.

01106 thembo'at hasattained suspensions-by means of its ballast tanks'iituis trimmed up by th trim' tanks iand the cohtrols can their be used --to *descend or ascend whi'cheverus desired.

Another advantage of this particular boat' is th'at the propsare reversible so that youeam attain backward motion or the-ganops caribe: used as abrakingraction for slowing the f-orwardispeed of 'th boat. The f'unfatiom-andoperatiomofthe controls are as follows: Phemo'vzfible--controls 7 surfaces arek ah of the zba-lance type. flontrols are used" exatly iri the same manner- =as are airplane controls. Ehe -forward' hydroplanes being used for a confbination 'wing and aileron movement-Eabout th--'loIigitt:dina1a a'xis is controlled therefore by the forwardihydroplanesrinithefsame manner as the airplane is controlled by the ailerons. The forward hydroplanes are placed in line with the center of gravity just as the wings of an airplane are located on the approximate line to the center of gravity. The forward hydroplanes can therefore be used so that the boat can be banked under water and maneuvered in a short radius which could not be obtained without the use of the hydroplanes. The rear hydroplanes are used as elevators for movement about the lateral axis. Movement about the vertical axis is obtained by the rudder. The proper bank of the boat is established by coordinating the hydroplanes and rudder.

The use of a transparent plastic nose aids in the operator's visibility and thereby reduces the distance to an object which he wishes to observe. It also affords other unobstructed vision forward over a wide area. With the plastic nose the boat can be used in shallow water to observe objects on the bottom. In the event that the nose is damaged an emergency hatch can be closed hydraulically to prevent the operators compartment from being flooded. The symmetrical shape of the nose permits an equal distribution of pressure so that the nose is capable of withstanding the enormous pressure involved at great depths.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a balancing system for a submarine boat the combination comprising a forward pair of oppositely disposed horizontally projecting hydro-planes, an axle connected to the inner end of each hydro-plane and extending inwardly of each hydro-plane in the same plane. a gear box connected to the inner end of each axle, a rock shaft extending forwardly of each gear box in a horizontal plane with the axis of each rock shaft extending at right angles to the axis of said axles, chain drive connections between each forwardly extending rock shaft and the gear box, a shaft extending intermediately of said rock shafts parallel thereto, a chain drive connection between said last shaft and said rock shafts, and a control mechanism connected to said last shaft for controlling the operation of said hydrmplanes.

2. A balancing system as in claim 1 wherein an aft pair of oppositely disposed horizontally projecting hydroplanes is provided and a separate controlling mechanism is provided for said aft pair of oppositely disposed horizontally projecting hydro-planes and means is provided for operatively connecting the control mechanism of the forward hydro-planes to the control mechanism of the aft hydro-planes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,125,772 Ullin Jan. 19, 1915 1,343,643 Reavell June 15, 1920 1,428,335 Kolvig Sept. 5, 1922 1,746,460 Cavallini Feb. 11, 1930 1,780,998 Curioni Nov. 11, 1930 2,143,656 Hognowski Jan. 10, 1939 2,361,949 Langdon Nov. 7, 1944 2,445,940 Copeland July 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 15,027 Great Britain Dec. 10, 1908 235,363 Great Britain June 18, 1925 

